Shape and Cut
Each diamond is described as to its shape (round, oval, pear, etc.) and its cut (brilliant, etc.)
Weight
Diamonds are weighed on an extremely accurate digital balance. One carat equals 100 points, which weigh 1/5 gram.
Proportions
The items in this category relate to the cut (or make) of the diamond:
Clarity
GIA CLARITY GRADING SCALE
| IF | VVS1...VVS2 | VS1...VS2 | SI1...SI2 | I1...I2...I3 |
| INTERNALLY FLAWLESS | VERY,VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED 1 AND 2 | VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED 1 AND 2 | SLIGHTLY INCLUDED 1 AND 2 | INCLUDED 1, 2 AND 3 |
Clarity refers to the summation of the number, size and placement as well as the nature of inclusions and/or surface irregularities. Flawless stones are diamonds free of inclusions under 10 power. Internally flawless are diamonds without any internal inclusions. VVS1 and VVS2 have extremely small inclusions. VS1 and VS2 possess small inclusions. SI1 and SI2 have inclusions that can be seen easily under 10 power magnification, but are not usually visible to the naked eye. I1, I2, and I3 have large inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
Color Grade
GIA COLOR GRADING SCALE
| D..E..F | G..H..I..J | K..L..M | N..O..P..Q..R | S..T..U..V..W..X..Y..Z |
| COLORLESS | NEAR COLORLESS | FAINT YELLOW | VERY LIGHT YELLOW | LIGHT YELLOW |
Color refers to the absence of color in a diamond. The less yellow within the diamond, the higher on the alphabetical scale the diamond will be graded. Colorless diamonds are D-F, near colorless are G-J, faint yellow are K-M, very light yellow are N-R. S-Z are light yellow.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence describes the degree of sensitivity of a diamond to long wave ultraviolet radiation.
No Appraisals or Valuations
The GIA objectively grades only, it does not place a valuation on the stone in its grading report.